Electrically operable toy vehicle and electrified surface



Sept. 9, 1969 L. ARNOW 3,465,475

ELECTRICALLY OPERABLE TOY VEHICLE AND ELECTRIFIED SURFACE Filed Oct. 21. 1965 FIG.1

FIG.3

no.4 v

86 INVENTOR.

Lewis Arnow 442; 6. m

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,465,475 ELECTRICALLY OPERABLE TOY VEHICLE AND ELECTRIFIED SURFACE Lewis Arnow, 33 Bull St., Newport, RI. 02840 Filed Oct. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 500,396 Int. Cl. A63h 33/26 US. Cl. 46-241 23 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electrically operable toy vehicle movable over an electrified surface presenting two sets of conductors in insulated relation to each other; the toy vehicle having a set of contacts for engaging the two sets of conductors, the contacts having a specific geometric relationship to insure a current carrying arrangement in any position of the vehicle on the conductors; the vehicles also including inertia members operative with changes in speed of the vehicle to change the direction of movement thereof.

Model cars which are driven over toy tracks have become so popular within the last few years that they threaten to displace electric trains in popularity. However, most presently available road racing toys are basically extensions of the conventional electric train concept. In particular, the model cars are constrained by virtue of slots and guides to a single dimensional or linear path. It is obvious that such a toy has a limited realism in operation, since the only variable left to the operator is regulation of the speed of travel.

This limitation has been recognized in some rare instances, and attempts have been made to provide the operator with a second degree of freedom of operation. Accordingly, there have been proposed model vehicle and track toys wherein the vehicle has two degrees of freedom. In some instances, continuous electric power has been supplied to the vehicle irrespective of its position on a track and regardless of its direction of movement. However, such a vehicle requires an undue number of electrical contacts on the vehicle for contacting a planar electrically conductive track. Furthermore, the electrical circuitry within the vehicle requires several electromagnetic switching devices. Other proposals employ fewer electrical contacts and virtually no control circuitry. However, these proposals result in limited operational realism since they restrict the movement of the vehicle to combined lateral and forward passes around a wide oval or circular path.

It is, therefore, a general object of the invention to provide a toy of more realistic operation which includes an improved model vehicle movable over a two dimensional track.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved model vehicle which is freely and continuously movable in any direction over a two dimensional track.

It is a specific object of one aspect of the invention to provide a realistic toy comprising an electrically operated vehicle and an electrified track which, on the one hand, permits complete freedom of movement of the vehicle over the track and, on the other hand, requires relatively simple control circuitry.

Therefore, such a toy can be made suitably small and is inexpensive enough to be available on a mass production basis.

Briefly, according to this aspect of the invention, there is contemplated a device which comprises a track and an object movable over the track. The track includes a plurality of sets of electrically conductive laminae of specific geometry. Each set of lamina is insulated from the others. Associated with the track is a source of electrical energy "ice which has first and second output terminals for delivering electrical energy of different polarities. The first output terminal is connected to certain of the laminae of the sets, and the second output terminal is connected to the remainder of the laminae.

The movable object comprises a body having a plurality of contacts extending downward from the body to contact the laminae. The contacts are disposed in a plane which is parallel to the plane of the laminae when the model vehicle is on the track. In addition, the contacts are arranged in a specific geometrical configuration so that at least one contact touches laminae of each polarity regardless of the position of the object on the track. Electrical motor means are included in the body for driving the object. Connecting means connect first and second input terminals of the motor means to the contacts.

It should be noted that by virtue of the geometrical configuration of the contact points with respect to the geomery of the laminae cooperating, the motor means will for practical purposes, always receive electrical energy flowing in the same direction irrespective of the orientation of the model vehicle on the electrified track.

Once the movable object or model vehicle has been given two degrees of freedom of movement, realism is further enhanced by providing the vehicle with a remotely controllable steering mechanism. Heretofore, such remotely controlled steering mechanism included flexible shaft arrangements coupling a steering wheel held by the operator to the pivotable front wheel assembly of the model. Clearly, such an approach left much of the realism to the imagination of the operator. Other schemes contemplated complex electromagnetic controls which enhanced the realism, but only at the expense of size, complexity and cost. Each of these factors negates this approach with respect to mass produced toys.

It is, accordingly, an object of another aspect of the invention to provide a simple, inexpensive and reliable remotely operable steering mechanism for a motor driven object such asa model vehicle.

Broadly, this aspect of the invention contemplates the pitting of two different momenta in the vehicle to create a torque which is utilized to change the direction of movement of the vehicle. For example, the rotational momentum of a rotating body such as the armature of the motor or a weighted wheel is pitted against the forward momentum of the model vehicle to generate a torque which changes the direction of movement of the vehicle.

In particular, according to one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, there is contemplated an object such as a model vehicle having an elongated body. Attached to a rear end of the body is a rear wheel assembly with freely rotatable wheels. A cross member which extends across transversely the axis body is pivotably mounted near the front of the body. A first wheel is mounted on one end of the cross member to freely rotate about the axis of the cross member. Fixed on the cross member is an electrically energizable source of rotary power. A second wheel is mounted on the other end of the cross member and is drivingly rotatable about the same axis as the first wheel. The second wheel is driven by the power source. An arm extends from the cross member. Fixed on the body are a pair of angularly displaced abutments which act as stops for the arm travel. One of the abutments engages the arm when the axis of the cross member is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. The other abutment engages the arm when the axis of the cross member makes a predetermined angle with the longitudinal axis of the body. Therefore, the cross member can pivot between given limits. Means are provided for abruptly changing the rotary power delivered by the source. Because of the interactions of the rotary momentum of the source and the linear momentum of the body, the cross member pivots changing the direction of movement of the vehicle.

In another embodiment, the vehicle comprises driven rear wheels and freely rotatable front wheels. The front wheels are mounted on a pivotable cross member having an arm which can contact either of a pair of angularly displaced abutments. One of the front wheels has a large moment of inertia. Therefore, as the speed of the drive wheels abruptly changes, the cross member pivots to a position determined by one of the abutments and the direction of movement of the vehicle changes.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read together with the accompanying drawing which shows, by way of example and not limitation, several embodiments of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 shows a partial plan view of a track in accordance with the invention including a schematic representation of means for electrically energizing the track;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of a portion of the track taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged bottom view of a model vehicle for use with the track of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged bottom view of an alternate embodiment of the model vehicle particularly emphasizing the steering mechanism according to the invention.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2, a track construction is shown comprising a pair of sets of laterally related elements 12, 12 of electrically conductive material. Adjacent pairs of laminae are electrically insulated from each other. Thus, insulative spacers 13 are interposed between the laminae 12, 12' and alternatively, an air gap can equally well provide the required insulation. In a working embodiment, the track 10 comprises a sheet of cardboard C whose upper surface carries a sheet of aluminum foil. The foil is die cut in the pattern indicated in FIGURE 1 to provide elements 12, 12'. In any event, the actual construction of the track other than the fact that there be a plurality of conductive laminae with adjacent laminae insulated from each other, is not important. An important factor is that the width of each lamina be the same and have a magnitude D which is related to the contact geometry of the vehicle as will hereinafter become apparent.

In order to electrify the track 10, there is provided a source of eletcrical energy, preferably in the form of a controllably variable transformer 20. The arms of the secondary winding S (output terminals) are respectively connected to conductive elements 12, 12. In the shown embodiment, one arm is connected to element 12 and, by virtue of the geometry of the insulation 13, to laminae 12A, 12C, 12E, etc. through the bridging portion 12X. The other arm of the secondary winding 208 is connected to element 12 thereof and by virtue of bridging portion 12Y to laminae 12B, 12D, etc.

The primary winding 20F is connected to a source of alternating current 22. In particular, one arm of primary winding 2GP is directly connected to source 22. The other arm is connected to the moving contact of single-pole spring-return switch 26. The first fixed contact of switch 26, the normally-closed contact, is directly connected to source 22 while the second fixed contact, the normallyopen contact, is connected via resistor 24 to source 22. Regardless of the position of the moving contact, alternating current is fed to track 10. The amplitude of the voltage fed thereto is controlled by variable transformer 20. The function of switch 26 is to abruptly change the amplitude of the voltage of controlling the steering of the vehicle which will hereinafter become apparent.

It should be noted that although switch 26 is included in the primary circuit of transformer 20, it could equally be included in the secondary circuit.

In FIGURE 3, there is shown a bottom view of a model vehicle 38'. Vehicle 30 includes a body 32. Body 32 can take any conventional shape such as a racing car, a hot rod, a dragster, etc. Fixed to body 32 is a rear wheel assembly comprising wheels 34 and 36 on axle 38. Axle 38 is mounted on body 32 in any known manner, and wheels 34 and 36 are freely rotatable thereon. Pivotably mounted on body 32, by means of pivot member 40, is a base member 42. Base member 42 extends transversely of body 32 with the axis of the base member making a varying angle with the longitudinal axis of the body. An axle 44 is connected to base member 42 and supporls a first front wheel 46 which is freely rotatable. A second axle 48 mounted on the base member, connects the second front wheel 50 to a reduction gear train 52. The axes of axles 44 and 48 are colinear. The input of gear train 52 is connected to the shaft 54 of a motor 56.

Fixed to and extending from base member 42 is a swinging arm 58. The travel of swinging arm 58 is limited by abutments 60 and 62. Preferably, arm 58 is formed of a ferromagnetic material such as iron or steel, and abutment 62 is of a magnetic material such as the aluminum-nickel alloy Alnico. Alternatively, at least the free end of arm 58 can be of magnetic material, abutment 62 of a ferromagnetic material, and abutment 60 of a non-magnetic material. Abutment 60 is so positioned that, when arm 58 is in contact therewith, the axes of axles 44 and 48 are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of body 32 and vehicle 30 travels in a straight direction. The further functions of arm 58 and the abutments 60 and 62 are concerned with the steering of vehicle 30 and are hereinafter described.

In order to supply electrical energy to energize motor 56, three contacts 64, 66 and 63 extend downwardly from body 32. The points of the contacts lie in a plane which coincides with the plane of track 10 and elements 12, 12' thereof when vehicle 30 is placed thereon. Furthermore, the contact points are located at points corresponding to the apices of an equilateral polygon; preferably an equilateral triangle. The altitude D of the polygon is substantially equal to the width D of the laminae 12 (FIG. 1). It should be noted that with this geometrical configuration, one of the contact points is, as a practical matter, in contact with a lamina different from that of the other two contacts. The only possible chance for undesired orientation of the contacts is when all three contacts lie opposite gaps. However, this situation will be momentary, provided that no side of the polygon is parallel to the longitudinal axis of body 32 and the gaps are suitably small.

One of the contacts, say contact 66, is directly connected via lead to one input terminal of motor 56. The other two contacts, say 64 and 68 are respectively connected via diodes 72 and 74 (unilateral conducting means) and lead 76 to the other input terminal of motor 56. Diodes 72 and 74 are polarized in the same direction. For example, as is shown, the anodes of these diodes are connected to lead 76. It should be noted that as long as the source of electrical energy is an alternating current source, a diode having a polarity opposite that of diodes 72 and 74 can connect contact 66 to lead 70.

Now, by virtue of the geometry of the contacts with respect to the conductive laminae, two situations can occur. First, contacts 64 and 68 will receive opposite polarity electrical energy, and contact 66 will receive electrical energy of the same polarity as either one of the contacts 64 or 68. Second, contacts 64 and 68 will receive the same polarity electrical energy and contact 66 will receive the opposite polarity electrical energy. In either case, half wave or pulsating direct current will be supplied to motor 56 regardless of the orientation of the vehicle 30 on the track 10. The pulsating direct current is continuously fed to motor 56 to provide smooth uniform performance thereof. Of course, the speed of movement can be varied by smoothly varying the transformer output. Accordingly, the vehicle 30, as so far described, will have rectilinear motion at a controllably variable speed. However, to enhance the realism of its movements, the toy should be provided with remotely controlled steering. Such a feature will now be described.

It will be recalled that the front wheel assembly is mounted on a pivotable cross member 42. As long as the vehicle is moving with uniform acceleration or no acceleration, the swinging arm 58 is pressing against abutment 60. The drag of the rear wheels 34, 36 maintain it in this position. When the moving contact of switch 26 is depressed there is an abrupt drop in the voltage delivered to secondary 208 of transformer 20. (The primary voltage drops because of the voltage drop across resistor 24.) Therefore, the rotational speed of motor 56 falls off and drive wheel 50 slows relative to the forward motion of the vehicle 30. Accordingly, the cross member 42 pivots clockwise (as viewed in FIG. 3) until swinging arm 58 contacts abutment 62. Swinging arm 58 is retained in this position by the magnetic attraction between it and abutment 62, and the vehicle 30 continues in a sustained lower speed turn. When switch 26 is released, there is an abrupt increase in the electrical energy fed to motor 56 causing a sudden surge in driving wheel 50. This surge creates a torque which pivots member 42 in a counter-clockwise direction, pulling swinging arm 58 away from abutment 62 and driving it to abutment 60 where it remains because of the rear wheel drag. Thus, by means of abruptly changing the electrical energy delivered to motor 56 it is possible to maneuver the vehicle 30 anywhere over the track 10.

FIGURE 4 shows an alternate embodiment of the model vehicle which is specifically directed to the steering aspect of the invention. Accordingly, the contact array is not shown. However, it should be realized that the same contact configuration as disclosed with respect to FIG- URE 3 may be included in the vehicle 70 of FIGURE 4. Vehicle 70 includes a body 72 which carries a motor and gearing means 74 connected via axles 76A and 76B to rear drive wheels 78A and 78B respectively. Front wheels 80 and 82 are freely rotatable about axle 84 which is connected to cross member 86. Cross member 86 is connected to body 72 by pin 88 and is freely pivotable about the pin. Connected to cross member 86 and extending rearward therefrom is arm 90 of ferromagnetic material. Fixed to body 72 are abutments 92 and 94 which limit the angular movement of arm 90. Abutments 92 and 94 are permanent magnets.

In order to obtain a high rotational momentum to be pitted against the forward momentum of the vehicle 70, wheel 80 is designed to have a large moment of inertia. For example, the rim of wheel 80 can be made of lead or any heavy material to produce a flywheel effect. It is even possible to gear wheel 80 to a flywheel. The gear connection should have a high step up ratio to insure a high angular velocity of the flywheel and consequently a high rotational momentum.

During operation, whenever there is an abrupt acceleration of the drive wheels 78A and 78B, due to an abrupt increase in current fed to the motor, the rotational momentum of wheel 80 interacting with the increase in the forward momentum of the vehicle causes cross member 86 to pivot about pin 88 until arm 90 reaches abutment 92. On the other hand, whenever there is an abrupt deceleration of the drive Wheels 78A and 78B, due to a sudden drop in electric current fed to the motor, the interaction of the rotational momentum of wheel 80 and the drop in forward momentum of the vehicle causes cross member 86 to pivot until arm 90 contacts abutment 94.

The magnetic attraction of the abutments with the arm 90 causes the cross member 86 to remain in one of two positions until forcibly changed by the appropriate change in forward momentum of the vehicle. Accordingly, by maintaining the vehicle at constant speed or by only gradually changing its speed, the vehicle will maintain its direction of travel.

Also, the contacts 64, 66, 68 may be connected to motor 56 in a manner such that all the contacts are connected via unilateral conducting means and polarized in one direction to one input terminal of motor 56 and the same contacts are further connected via other unilateral conducting means and polarized in the other direction to the other input terminal of motor 56, thus providing full wave current in one direction to motor 56, the current source being alternating; or when the current source is direct, providing continuous current to motor 56 at all times.

The foregoing arrangement of contacts and their connections makes possible a power supply to motor 56 at all times including disposition of one or more contacts on an insulating gap between lamina.

It is understood that motor 56 may have a manually, or otherwise, operated reversing switch in its input leads to steer vehicle 30 in either direction on track construction 10.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy device comprising: a two-dimensional surface comprising a plurality of mutually adjacent electrically conductive lamina of specific geometry and electrically insulated from each other;

a source of electrical energy including first and second output terminals of opposite polarity;

means for connecting said first output terminal to certain of said laminae and for connecting said second output terminal to the remainder of said laminae;

an object movable in any direction upon the said surface, and including only three electrical contacts having a given geometric arrangement so that substantially at all times only one of said contacts touches a lamina of one polarity and the remaining contacts touch a lamina of the other polarity in any position of said object upon said surface;

electrical motor means including first and second input terminals for moving said object; and

means for directly connecting said contacts with said input terminals.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes unilateral conducting means.

3. The device as in claim 2 wherein a first set of rectifier means are connected in circuit in one direction respectively between each contact and one input terminal of said motor means, a second set of rectifiers is connected in the other direction respectively between each contact and the other input terminal of said motor means.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein one contact is directly conductively connected to said first input terminal and the remaining contacts are connected by individual unilateral conducting means all polarized in the same direction to said second input terminal and said source of electrical energy is of alternating current.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein two contacts are connected by unilateral conducting means polarized in the same direction to said first input terminal and the remaining contact is connected by unilateral conducting means polarized in the opposite direction to said second input terminal and said source of electrical energy is of alternating current.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive laminae are of adjacent strips of equal width and said first output terminal is electrically connected to alternate laminae and said second output terminal is electrically connected to the remainder of said laminae.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said contact points are at the apices only of an equilateral triangle, an altitude of the triangle being equal to substantially the width dimension of a lamina.

8. The device of claim 1 including means for varying the character of the current flow from said source of electrical energy, and including control means responsive to variations in the character of the current flow for controlling the direction of travel of said object.

9. The device as in claim 8 wherein said object comprises a body having a longitudinal axis, a rear wheel assembly, an electrically energizable source of rotary power mounted on said body for driving said rear wheel assembly to propel said vehicle, a cross member transversely extending across said body, means for pivotably mounting said cross member to said body, near the front thereof, so that said cross member can rotate in a plane parallel to said longitudinal axis, a pair of wheels mounted on said cross member and freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of said cross member, one of the wheels of said pair having a high moment of inertia, and means associated therewith for interacting with the momentum of said one wheel, an arm extending from said cross member, a first abutment on said body and so positioned to engage said arm when said cross member is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, and a second abutment on said body and so positioned to engage said arm when said cross member makes a predetermined angle with said longitudinal axis, and means for delivering electrical energy of controllable abruptly changeable magnitude to control the forward momentum of said vehicle for interacting with the rotational momentum of said one wheel and thereby control the pivoting of said cross member.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein said object comprises an elongated body having a longitudinal axis, a freely rotatable rear wheel assembly on said body, a cross member extending transversely of said axis of said body, means for pivotably mounting said cross member to said body, near the front thereof, so that said cross member can rotate in a plane parallel to said longitudinal axis, a first wheel mounted on said cross member and freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the cross member, an electrically energizable source of rotary power mounted on said cross member, a second wheel mounted on said cross member and rotatable about an axis colinear with the axis of rotation of said first wheel, means for connecting said second wheel to said source of rotary power for rotationally driving said second wheel, an arm extending from said cross member, a first abutment on said body and so positioned to engage said arm when said cross member is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, and a second abutment on said body and so positioned to engage said arm when said cross member makes a predetermined angle with said longitudinal axis, and means for delivering electrical energy of controllable changeable magnitude to control the torque delivered by said source of rotary power to said second wheel and thereby control the rotation of said cross member.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said arm is of a magnetizable material, wherein at least one of said abutments is a magnet and an abrupt change of magnitude of electrical energy delivered to the said source of rotary power separates the arm from the magnet thereby steering the vehicle.

12. The device as in claim 10, and further including reversing switch means connected for reversing the current direction to said motor whereby said object can be moved in either direction.

13. A toy comprising: a track including a sequential plurality of adjacent electrically conductive laminae wherein each lamina has the same width dimension and adjacent laminae in each pair of laminae are electrically insulated from each other; a source of electrical energy including first and second output terminals, each of said terminals being adapted to deliver electrical energy of different polarities; means for connecting said first output terminal to successive alternate laminae of said plurality; means for connecting said second output terminal to the remainder of said laminae; a model vehicle including a body, a plurality of electrical contacts including contacting points extending downward from said body for contacting said laminae, said contacting points being disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of said laminae and disposed at the apices only of an equilateral triangle, said triangle having an altitude substantially equal to the width dimension of said laminae, electrical motor means, including at least first and second input terminals, for moving said model vehicle, and connecting means for connecting said contacts to said input terminals.

14. A toy comprising: a track including a sequential plurality of adjacent electrically conductive laminae wherein each lamina has the same width dimension and adjacent laminae in each pair of laminae are electrically insulated from each other; a source of electrical energy including first and second output terminals, each of said terminals being adapted to deliver electrical energy of different polarities; means for connecting said first output terminal to successive alternate laminae of said plurality; means for connecting said second output terminal to the remainder of said laminae; a model vehicle including a body, only three electrical contacts including contacting points extending downward from said body for contacting said laminae, said contacting points being disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of said laminae and disposed at the apices of an equilateral triangle, said triangle having an altitude substantially equal to the width dimension of said laminae so that one of said contacting points contacts one lamina and at least one of the remaining two contacting points contacts the other lamina of an adjacent pair of laminae, electrical motor means, including at least first and second input terminals, for moving said model vehicle, and connecting means for connecting said contacts to said input terminals, said connecting means including unilateral conducting means.

15. The toy of claim 14 wherein said motor means is a direct-current motor including first and second input terminals and means for continuously conductively connecting the first input terminal of said direct-current motor to one of said contacts, first unilateral conducting means for connecting a second of said contacts to the second input terminal of said direct-current motor, and second unilateral con-ducting means for connecting the third of said contacts to the second input terminal of said direct-current motor.

16. A toy comprising: a track including conductors adapted to be energized by electrical energy; a model vehicle including a body having a longitudinal axis, a freely rotatable rear wheel assembly, a cross member transversely extending across said body, means for pivotably mounting said cross member to said body, near the front thereof, so that said cross member can rotate in a plane parallel to said longitudinal axis, a first wheel mounted on said cross member and freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the cross member, an electrically energizable source of rotary power mounted on said cross member, a second wheel mounted on said cross member and rotatable about an axis colinear with the axis of rotation of said first wheel, means for connecting said second wheel to said source of rotary power for rotationally driving said second wheel, an arm extending from said cross member, a first abutment on said body and so positioned to engage said arm when said cross member is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, and a second abutment on said body and so positioned to engage said arm when said cross member makes a predetermined angle with said longitudinal axis, contact means extending from said body for connecting said conductors to said electrically energizable source of rotary power, and means for abruptly changing the magnitude of the electrical energy energizing said conductors to control the torque delivered by said source of rotary power to said second wheel and thereby control the rotation of said cross member.

17. The toy of claim 16 wherein said arm is of a magnetizable material and said second abutment is a magnet.

18. The toy of claim 17 wherein: said track includes a plurality of adjacent electrically conductive laminae wherein adjacent laminae in each pair of laminae are electrically insulated from each other; a source of electrical energy including first and second output terminals, each being adapted to deliver electrical energy of different polarities; means for connecting said first output terminal to successive alternate laminae of said plurality and means for connecting said second output terminal to the remainder of said laminae; said rotary source of power comprising a motor including first and second input terminals; and said contact means includes at least two sliding contacts so positioned relative to each other and with respect to said laminae that only the first output terminal of said suorce of electrical energy is conductively connected to the first input terminal of said motor and only the second output terminal of said source of electrical energy is conductively connected to the second input terminal of said motor.

19. A model vehicle comprising a body having a longitudinal axis, a rear wheel assembly, an electrically energizable source of rotary power mounted on said body for driving said rear wheel assembly to propel said vehicle, a cross member transversely extending across said body, means for pivotably mounting said cross member to said body, near the front thereof, so that said cross member can rotate in a plane parallel to said longitudinal axis, a pair of wheels mounted on said cross member and freely rotatable about the longitudinal axis of said cross member, one of the wheels of said pair having a high moment of inertia, an arm extending from said cross member, a first abutment on said body and so positioned to engage said arm when said cross member is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, and a second abutment on said body and so positioned to engage said arm when said cross member makes a predetermined angle with said longitudinal axis, and means for delivering electrical energy of controllable changeable magnitude to control the forward momentum of said vehicle for interacting with the rotational momentum of said one wheel and thereby control the pivoting of said cross member.

20. The model of claim 19 wherein said arm is of a magnetizable material and said abutments are magnets.

21. A model vehicle comprising a body having a longitudinal axis, a rear wheel assembly and a front wheel assembly, one of said wheel assemblies comprising a cross member transversely extending across said body, means for pivotably mounting said cross member to said body so that said cross member can rotate in a plane parallel to said longitudinal axis, a rotational momentum accumulating means, an arm extending from said cross member, a first abutment 'on said body and so positioned to engage said arm when said cross member is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, and a second abutment on said body and so positioned to engage said arm when said cross member makes a predetermined angle with said longitudinal axis, an electrically energizable source of rotary power connected to one of said wheel assemblies for driving said vehicle, and means for delivering electrical energy of controllable abruptly changeable magnitude to suddenly change the linear momentum of the vehicle for interacting with the accumulated rotational momentum to pivot the cross member.

22. A device comprising: a surface, said surface including a plurality of laminae, means for energizing some of said laminae with electrical energy of one polarity, means for energizing the remainder of said laminae with electrical energy of another polarity, means for controllably varying a characteristic of the electrical energy; and an object movable over said surface, said object including contacts geometrically disposed with respect to said laminae such that only one of said contacts touches a lamina being energized by electrical energy of said one polarity and at least one other of said contacts touches a lamina being energized by electrical energy of said other polarity in any position of said object, and means for controlling the direction of movement of said object in accordance with variations in the electrical energy.

23. A device comprising: a two-dimensional surface comprising a plurality of electrically conductive laminae of specific geometry and electrically insulated from each other;

a source of electrical energy including first and second output terminals of opposite polarity;

means for connecting said first output terminal to certain of said laminae and for connecting said second output terminal to the remainder of said laminae;

an object movable upon the said surface and including a plurality of electrical contacts having a given geometrical arrangement so that only one of said contacts touches a lamina of one polarity in any position of said object upon said surface;

electrical motor means including at least first and second input terminals for moving said object; means for connecting said contacts with said input terminals; and

means for varying the character of the current flow from said source of electrical energy, and including control means responsive to variations in the character of the current flow for controlling the direction of travel of said object.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,239,963 3/1966 Smith et a1 46244 3,339,307 9/1967 Floyd 46244 FOREIGN PATENTS 873,812 4/1953 Germany.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner R. F. CUTTING, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 46243 

